Les Kiss

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Les Kiss

Ireland Assistant Coach

Les Kiss, a former Australian Kangaroos rugby league winger and a member of the undefeated 1986 Australian Kangaroos team that toured Great Britain and France, has made a successful transition to rugby union coaching since 2001 when he was recruited by South Africa as defence coach.

In the 2001 Tri Nations championship, the Springboks had easily the best defensive record with the least tries (11) and the least points conceded. The following year Kiss was given the opportunity to further expand his experience with three South African Super 12 teams - the Stormers, Cats and Bulls. He returned to Australia in 2003, joining up with the NSW Waratahs, providing expertise in defence and video analysis.

His association with the NSW Waratahs developed further after that, leading to assistant coach roles specialising in defence and backs strategy. Kiss was also appointed assistant coach of Australia 'A' from 2003 to 2007, assistant coach of the Australian Under-21 team in 2003 and head coach for the NSW Waratahs development tour to the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2006. He has also had coaching experience in Japan, assisting IBM in 2003 and this year (2008).

Kiss played 100 first grade games for the North Sydney Bears from 1986 to 1993 in the NRL competition in Australia. He also played four State of Origin matches for Queensland and held coaching positions with the North Sydney Bears before moving to the United Kingdom as head coach of the London Broncos (now London Harlequins).